Off-camera Flash...extra speedlights or flash heads?

Trevor Quinn

Trevor Quinn

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Looking into the off-camera flash work, I have 2 bodies & 1 SB900.
I sold my SB600 a few months ago as I didnt use it and needed funds for lenses.

Have been thinking about adding to my kit so I can do better portraits etc

Should I get another flashgun or get a lighting kit to start me off? :shrug:
 
I am no expert by a million miles, but if you look on here (recent thread in portrait IIRC) there is a single light thread, and many professionals get fantastic results with a single light and a reflector.
 
Start with one and work on the many ways you can use it. Progress from there. I'd buy Yongnuo YN-560's as they're manual, cheap, powerful and well made.
 
The23rdman said:
Start with one and work on the many ways you can use it. Progress from there. I'd buy Yongnuo YN-560's as they're manual, cheap, powerful and well made.
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Mine arrived this morning, the quality has improved - certainly doesn't feel like a £47 flash. Can't wait to try it out.
 
Some good training is what will make the most difference to your photos in my experience.

You can keep adding gear until your wallets completely empty but in the end one camera + one lens + one speedlight can take you a long long way with the right knowledge.

People (myself included) focus way too much on the gear when they start out in photography, given my money and time again I would spend about half as much on gear and the rest on training courses.

YouTube videos and DVD training courses can help too but you just cant beat spending some time shooting with someone who really knows what they are doing and is talented at passing that knowledge on to others.

I've done a few different courses, these are my favourites by far > http://www.lovegroveconsulting.com/
 
Wedding-Photos said:
Some good training is what will make the most difference to your photos in my experience.

You can keep adding gear until your wallets completely empty but in the end one camera + one lens + one speedlight can take you a long long way with the right knowledge.

People (myself included) focus way too much on the gear when they start out in photography, given my money and time again I would spend about half as much on gear and the rest on training courses.

YouTube videos and DVD training courses can help too but you just cant beat spending some time shooting with someone who really knows what they are doing and is talented at passing that knowledge on to others.

I've done a few different courses, these are my favourites by far > http://www.lovegroveconsulting.com/
Click to expand...


I've found myself trying to run before I can walk.

I've been looking at adding gear to the two flashes I have, when I don't know how to use a single flash competently. I stupidly think the more I have the better pictures I'll have.

Thanks for the post Nick. Helping to slow me down!
 
Scout n' About said:
Looking into the off-camera flash work, I have 2 bodies & 1 SB900.
I sold my SB600 a few months ago as I didnt use it and needed funds for lenses.

Have been thinking about adding to my kit so I can do better portraits etc

Should I get another flashgun or get a lighting kit to start me off? :shrug:
Click to expand...

If you have mains power, a studio head wins every time. Hot-shoe guns don't have modelling lights, and they're slow to recycle when you wind them up to the power level you'll mostly need. Studio heads are easier to use, you'll learn more, faster, and get better results sooner.

Get one studio head, maybe a Lencarta Smartflash or Elinchrom D-Lite would be my choice for £110-125 (though you can easily spend more) with a nice softbox and a couple of brollies, and a reflector. There's so much you can do with that, then work in your SB900 as a background or hair light etc (it'll be fine for that) once you've got the hang of the basics.
 
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HoppyUK said:
If you have mains power, a studio head wins every time. Hot-shoe guns don't have modelling lights,
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That's not entirely accurate, certainly on canon speedlights (dunno about other makes) you can activate a modelling light by pressing the DOF preview button on your camera.

Probably not as good as what you get with studio head but its better than nothing.
 
This all depends on what (and where) you want to shoot.

As a wedding photographer I shoot portraits all day long, with and without flash. you dont need loads of gear to take great portraits. you just need a good eye, good camera craft, and nice light

I would kit up in this order:

- reflector - get one learn how to use it, then get...
- on camera flash - learn how to use it then get...
- stand and accessories for yoru flash gun - - learn how to use it then make a qualified decision about either getting more OFC gear or Studio flash gear
 
HoppyUK said:
If you have mains power, a studio head wins every time. Hot-shoe guns don't have modelling lights, and they're slow to recycle when you wind them up to the power level you'll mostly need. Studio heads are easier to use, you'll learn more, faster, and get better results sooner.

Get one studio head, maybe a Lencarta Smartflash or Elinchrom D-Lite would be my choice for £110-125 (though you can easily spend more) with a nice softbox and a couple of brollies, and a reflector. There's so much you can do with that, then work in your SB900 as a background or hair light etc (it'll be fine for that) once you've got the hang of the basics.
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:thumbs:
That's not entirely accurate, certainly on canon speedlights (dunno about other makes) you can activate a modelling light by pressing the DOF preview button on your camera.

Probably not as good as what you get with studio head but its better than nothing.
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I've got a modelling lamp of sorts on my SB-800 too, but it isn't even close to the real thing.
It's really just horses for courses. There's a lot that can be done with speedlights but, in the studio, they're a compromise. Why make life hard for yourself?
 
Wedding-Photos said:
That's not entirely accurate, certainly on canon speedlights (dunno about other makes) you can activate a modelling light by pressing the DOF preview button on your camera.

Probably not as good as what you get with studio head but its better than nothing.
Click to expand...

It works for only one second at a time, and not at all on a remote gun unless E-TTL connected.

And those guns are very expensive compared to an entry-level studio head. I think there's a bit of a general misunderstanding/fear of studio flash. Folks think it's professional, must be expensive, specialist, hard to use etc. It's actually none of those things - actually often cheaper and much easier :thumbs:
 
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Don't disagree with any of that, but speedlights have many advantages too, portability being the biggest one for me.

I am sure if I shot a lot of studio stuff I would invest in some studio heads but most of my stuff is outside and very quick set-ups so speedlights work best for me.
 
Food for thought! :thumbs:

Those of you with 1 speedlight, would you trigger it with the onboard flash or use an IR trigger?
 
Scout n' About said:
Food for thought! :thumbs:

Those of you with 1 speedlight, would you trigger it with the onboard flash or use an IR trigger?
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Triggering is another question... ;)

Most people would probably just go for cheap manual radio triggers for £30 a set. They'll work with just about anything, including studio heads.

But if you want E-TTL, then you could well use the pop-up or go for something more versatile, either IR or radio, or use a long cord. Lots of options, but some of them costly. Main weakness of IR systems is they get unreliable outside in bright light.
 
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